Alabama State University head coach Eddie Robinson Jr. sort of spoke the Hornets’ 2024 Orange Blossom Classic appearance into existence. It was late September 2023 and Robinson Jr. was Tallahassee-bound to play Florida A&M University. At the time, he had been reading legendary FAMU coach Jake Gaither’s biography, which had mentioned the importance of OBC. Then and there Robinson Jr. had a though.
Man, it would be great to play in that game at some point,’” Robinson Jr. recalled thinking as he sat at the podium during the 2024 OBC opening news conference. Almost on cue came ASU athletic director Jason Cable. “And Dr. Cable said ‘Hey man we may be able to play in the Orange Blossom Classic.’ It all came together so we’re just glad to be here.
Though the matchup between the ASU Hornets and the North Carolina Central University Eagles won’t kick off until Sept. 1, the OBC held its opening festivities Tuesday at the Top Golf in Miami Gardens. The event brought together all involved parties — from local elected officials to both ASU and NCCU representatives — in order to highlight the importance of the OBC to the respective institutions as well as tout the classic as the premiere attraction for all Historically Black College or University graduates.
The Orange Blossom is all of us,” Miami-Dade County Commission Chairman Oliver Gilbert said, calling the classic a family reunion. A FAMU graduate, Gilbert admitted that he “would love to see FAMU every year, but the Orange Blossom is bigger than FAMU. It’s not about FAM. It’s not even about Alabama State. It’s not about North Carolina Central. It’s about us.”
In July 2023, the Orange Blossom Classic (OBC) made headlines when Florida A&M University (FAMU), a cornerstone of the event since 1933, announced its departure. The event saw a drop in attendance in 2023, following a successful 2022 that drew around 40,000 fans, a decline partly attributed to the exit of former Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders. With FAMU leaving due to scheduling conflicts, OBC officials faced the challenge of finding a replacement institution that had strong local connections and a significant alumni base. OBC executive director Kendra Bulluck-Major discussed this issue with the Miami Herald.
